Many states require parents to take a parenting class if they are going through divorce or custody. What people don’t realize is that this time to focus on your children can be the most rewarding and important part of this process. Courts in each state will usually provide a list of local providers who teach classes face to face. However, many courts are now understanding the difficulty and extra expense it involves for parents to go to a class - finding and paying for babysitters being the biggest. More and more courts are now accepting of online courses.

Each class basically offers the same information, the goal being what the children experience. Adults become so caught up in their own conflict that they forget about how their actions and words harm their children. These courses refocus parents to think about these very issues.

Some of the topics you will learn about in the class will be on communication, emotions you and your children experience, developmental issues for each age group of children, how to develop good parenting plans, issues around child support, how to deal with conflict and how the changes will impact everyone. Many facilitators will answer your personal questions and provide resources specific to your area that will assist you as you navigate the process.

Learning Design Group offers a fully online course at http://www.courtparentclass.com. Advantages are far and wide to completing the course online. You can complete the course on your own time and really think about the material presented. There is no need usually to drive and spend gas money or pay for a babysitter. You won't have to miss work because an online course is available 24 hours a day and seven days a week. They are flexible and can be as effective as a face to face course. Luckily courts are finally approving online classes! Parents taking our class at http://www.courtparentclass.com consistently tell us they appreciated the online format and flexibility and they learned a lot of new things to think about for the sake of their children. Enter into a course with a positive frame of mind and thoughts about how you will benefit the children. It is always a good idea to learn more about your children and your role in their development!

Working with an experienced mediator will give you the ability to make decisions about your life and walk into Court knowing the plan! What many people do not realize is that they have control during the mediation process. The variety of emotions felt during the Court process is overwhelming so understanding that in those moments with a mediator, you do have control over the outcome. When people continue to stay stuck in their own conflict, reaching agreements can be difficult. Three things may happen in mediation - full agreement is reached on all issues, partial agreements are made, or no agreements are completed. A mediator can complete a MoU on full or partial agreements and unless the Court orders mediation and asks for an update on attendance at mediation, it is usually up to the parties to inform the Court when no agreements are completed. In some situations, such as domestic violence, mediation may occur in two separate rooms with the parties arriving and leaving at staggered times. All of these situations should be discussed with your mediator before the meeting.

Learning Design Group offers mediation in the comfort of your home. We will go through all necessary paperwork to be completed prior to the first session and payment is made conveniently online through the website. Parties are contacted to arrange for a day and time and the mediator will call the parties for those meetings. Future appointments are usually arranged prior to a session ending. Initial sessions are two hours in length.

The question often asked is 'How long will mediation take?' That question has no perfect answer. An initial two hour session is sometimes all some couples need in order to reach partial or full agreements. Many couples may need more time due to their communication style or complexity of issues. Realizing that mediation is a way to develop a plan for how to move forward vs. healing and fixing old issues, can help move the process along quicker and more efficiently. Mediation is not therapy. 

Visit our mediation site at http://www.coloradoresolutions.com and see if mediation will work for you. I welcome clients from any state but certainly have specialization in Colorado mediations. Experience how mediation can be an effective and positive tool to use in resolving your divorce or custody issues!

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